google.com, pub-6867310892380113, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 ** ** **
|
US and Iran trade attacks, marking first escalation in a month
Iran retaliated against American forces on Sunday after the US military attacked Iranian missile launch sites, a US official said, marking the first escalation of tensions between the two sides in more than a month. The official said Iranian missiles fired at Jordan were intercepted and no damage had been reported. The strikes came after the US military struck Iran`s Lark Island, where It claimedو it spotted Iranian forces preparing to launch mines into the Strait of Hormuz. Iran`s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said early Monday local time that it launched missile and drone strikes against two US air bases in Jordan in response to the US attack, according to a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB. US forces struck two Iranian launchers on the island earlier Sunday, said Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US Central Command. Residents reported hearing an explosion near the island, according to Iran`s semi-official Fars News Agency. Larak Island is near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that has remained at the center of regional tensions and diplomatic efforts. CENTCOM completed clearing sea mines from the waterway`s international shipping routes last week, the Trump administration has said. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that "Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed." "U.S. forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway," the US official said. The IRGC had vowed retaliation earlier Sunday after accusing what it described as a "US-Zionist enemy" of carrying out an attack on Larak Island that it said resulted in casualties among Iranian forces and civilians. A spokesperson for the IRGC said in a short statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB that the "action was a strategic and deadly mistake" by the Trump administration. The strikes come as Iran and Oman continue discussions over a proposed arrangement to restore maritime traffic through the strait, one of the world`s most important energy chokepoints. Regional mediators, including Qatar, have backed the talks, while Iranian officials have repeatedly linked the future of navigation through the strait to broader discussions with Washington and regional security developments. Sunday`s attack marked the first US strikes on Iran since July 29, when the US completed a "heavy wave of strikes" in response to an attempted attack on American military positions the day before. The White House said Thursday that there are no ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran regarding the six-month war. Trump in recent weeks has focused on increasing economic pain for Iran rather than military actions, claiming last week that the US` financial strength will move the country "toward a very big victory." The US Treasury Department has threatened damaging new sanctions on countries that refuse to cut economic ties with Iran, calling it an "economic D-Day." Meanwhile, oil prices jumped Sunday after the news that United States launched its first strikes on Iran in over a month. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 2.8% to $90.57 a barrel, while US crude rose 2.7% to $85.64 a barrel.
Readers comments
You are the first person to comment on this article. Comments are displayed after verification. |
|
Ansar Press; Free and independent with impartial reports from the world at the service of the people |
U.S
Afghanistan
Iran
International
Social
Economic
Articles |
Athletic
Read
Science
Medical
Interview
Art and Culture
Travel |
About Us
Contact Us
Advertise with Us |





